Only half of Monterey County candidates voted in every election since 2020

Only half of the 155 candidates on Monterey County ballots voted in every election since 2020, according to a public records analysis first reported by Monterey County NOW.

The analysis, published Tuesday, Nov. 3, by Sara Rubin, found that 78 of the 155 candidates voted in all seven elections for which they were registered in Monterey County. Candidates collectively missed 193 opportunities to vote, reflecting nearly 18 percent of elections over the past six years. The analysis counted challenged ballots with signature mismatches or late arrivals as returned.

Several Peninsula-area candidates had gaps in their records.

Monterey mayor

Vince Malfitano, a retired business owner running for Monterey mayor against incumbent Tyller Williamson, missed four of the seven elections, according to the analysis. Those include the November 2024 presidential election, the 2020 primary, the 2022 primary and the 2022 general election. Only eight candidates countywide missed the November 2024 general election.

Monterey County NOW reported that Malfitano did not respond to a request for comment by the publication's deadline.

Pacific Grove mayor

In Pacific Grove, incumbent Mayor Nick Smith voted in all seven elections, according to the records. Challenger Luke Coletti, a former council member, missed one: the June 2022 primary. Coletti told Monterey County NOW he recalled being busy with City Council issues at the time and noted there were no Pacific Grove-specific issues on that ballot.

The Monterey Herald reported in October that Smith and Coletti served together on the Pacific Grove council with former Mayor Bill Peake.

Carmel mayor

Carmel Councilmember Hans Buder, who is running for mayor, missed primary elections in 2020 and 2022, according to the analysis. Buder told Monterey County NOW he prefers dropping off his ballot in person at the Sunset Center. He said one absence was caused by an out-of-town trip on short notice for a construction issue. The other came when his family caught COVID and he could not get the ballot dropped off or mailed while caring for three sick children.

Challenger David Boland, a banking executive, was not registered to vote in Monterey County until 2024, according to the records. He has voted in both elections since registering. Monterey County NOW reported that outgoing Carmel Mayor Dale Byrne recruited Boland to run after deciding not to seek a second term.

MPC trustee

Monterey Peninsula College Board of Trustees incumbent Rosalyn Green did not vote in the 2024 or 2026 primaries, according to the records. Green, who also volunteers at polling places, told Monterey County NOW she believes she voted in every election and plans to follow up with the Elections Department.

Bright spots and advice

All mayoral candidates in Marina, Del Rey Oaks, Seaside, Sand City and Greenfield voted in every election since 2020 for which they were registered, the analysis found. Candidate participation was higher in general elections than in primaries, reflecting the broader electorate's pattern.

Monterey County Registrar of Voters Gina Martinez advised all voters to cast ballots early whenever possible, whether by mail or at in-person events before Election Day. Voters can return ballots until polls close at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3.